BBC News Online: UK: Scotland

New challenge to hunt bill

The ban on fox hunting has popular support

The bill passed its first stage vote last week by a large majority, but it is now being sent for scrutiny by a committee which previously voted against it.

The Protection of Wild Mammals Bill, sponsored by Labour backbencher Mike Watson, is to be examined on a line-by-line basis.

But the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs committee will now have the opportunity to look over the bill.

This has enraged a co-sponsor of the bill, Scottish National Party MSP Trisha Marwick who said it is illogical that a committee which voted against it should be given the opportunity to amend it.

Trisha Marwick said that a committee which distorted the general principles of the bill, and delayed its progress is now being given a second chance to destroy it.